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[…] is, we live in a culture that drinks heavily, (especially here in New Zealand) and it can be hard to break out of that mindset. Yoga most definitely helps, and so does being […]
[…] One of the articles I wrote a couple years ago on these upper level energy centres, or chakras, talks in more detail about our western aversion to the dark depressions of life & how we self-medicate to avoid looking too closely. Another article discusses how there is a reason for all the seasons, if we will but honor them. In NZ we are deep in winter, a season many avoid. […]
[…] I wrote an article on this 3 years ago & will re-post on this blog as a reference, in case it interests you, called Is our addiction to Spirits a symptom of an UnSpirited society? […]
NickjButcher says
Very insightful, the connection you draw between the spirit and using the spirit to obtain happiness, awesome, good luck on the teaching at Tawa, you have the ability to change lives there, NjB
Melissa says
Thank you–I definitely appreciate the opportunity to work there!
Allah says
Real nice article Melissa
Melissa says
I’m glad you found value in it!
Richard says
Kia ora Melissa, Kapai on the work you are doing at Arohata Women’s Prison.
I think that if Maori youth for example went back to their marae and/or find out about their whakapapa and how wonderful their culture is through learning the language that this would give them a connection that would, as you say “ground them in their body”, complimented by using breath techniques that Yoga provides in such a self learning way.
I am Maori and have just started my journey at a late age (40ish) learning Te Reo and with the practice of Yoga (2nd year), I haven’t felt so connected or in control before than I do now. This experience has sent me on a path of well being and health being the most important, little interest in mind altering substances such as alcohol hence my reason on the comments above and understanding that Maori represent a high % relating drug and alcohol abuse.
It seems that youth seem to constantly seek mind altering substances for “escapism”, as a result of the pressure that society puts on the youth during these social media tools, economic climate, unemployment, and now lower minimum wage times.
I have an 18yr old daughter and I see the pressures that she is under even though she is at university 1st year, financially she struggles – has student allowance loan that she will have to pay all of it back and that is besides the course fees, hard for a teenager to be in debt in their first year of leaving school even though a bigger plan is still a while away from reality, the ability to get part-time work was hard and she works 1 day a week, yet she is a girl and wants to wear or do things that she see’s on tv, facebook, Iphone applications, friends etc… that other girls her age is doing or wearing.
I would hate to think of those youth that have dropped out of school because their focus of getting money and becoming more independant to help out their family, coming from a financially and socially poor background, the temptation for escapism must be very strong.
Great read and reinforces that good people with pure intentions are fighting the good fight, sending a message of awareness to provide a positive impact to that one person that might come across this article and need to read this message. I hope many more young people do!! Because it could shape their future lives :-). Namaste.
Melissa says
Wow Richard, thank you for your thoughtful response. You bring up a number of vital issues. It’s wonderful to hear of your discovery of your strong Self through yoga & reconnection to your heritage. Hailing from a First Nation background & seeing the levels of distress that often surround indigenous cultures, I wonder if they are more susceptible to alcohol, which is a cultured food, as they are more & more disenfranchised from their culture, their people & the stories that give the world sense. This is what I’ve seen in my own family at least. We substitute one culture for another & in the deep loss & sadness that ensues, we medicate with another culture–alcohol.
I also appreciate your story of your daughter. I am only beginning to wrap my head & heart around the nature of the world for young people & hearing the details of her choices is helpful. What options are we giving our children, who are our future? You are setting a great example with your own changes & practices, but as you say, think of how many people don’t see any other way. No one is modelling any other way forward for them. I love the Maori spirit, the mana of the people, & would love to be more involved in extending yoga in their direction. Perhaps you can share what you’re learning with those you know…
Namaste–be well,
Melissa
Terimoana Gilgen says
tena koe e Richard, Ko Terimoana tenei, e noho ana ki Kalgoorlie, He toune Mining. Kei te PaPai Rawa atu e hoa mo tou huarahi ako I tou Maoritanga me tou Wairua Tapu. He kaiako au I te ao Yoga. Ma te wa ka hokiatu ki toku whenua ki Tokomaru Bay me Kai Tahu hoki . Ka arohamai ki tou kotiro, ai ka mohio tera taumahatanga ki aku tamariki. Engari, me whakaeke a maua ki a ratau. Kua whakaai ahau ki tou korero ki tenei . Haere tonu ki te ako te reo. Kei te wareware te maha o nga kupu I te wa ka noho ki tenei whenua…..maha nga ra ki tangi ahau ki te mokemoke taku ngakau mo Aotearoa…. Na Terimoana Gilgen..
Nicole says
Beautiful inspiring words from both of you. Thanks Melissa for helping me to allow myself to open up to the wonderful world of yoga again at MYOGA, and to Richard for reminding me why I have a passion to work with young people. This reminds me why I want to work really hard to understand our behaviour and motives through my study of psychology. I am one of those people that needed to read your message Melissa!
Thank you!
Melissa says
Fantastic! So heartening that the practice spreads wings! I’m glad you’re benefitting & love your bright smile in classes! I’m sure those you work with will benefit from your care & awareness.
Thank you,
M
Thomas C Kantha says
Dear Melissa,
Thank you for your article.
I just wanted to add this simple thought .
Through the life of Yoga
Come ,walk with me
Through the life of yoga
Enter the life of yoga
A one way walk to the end
Senses wide awake
Never looking back
The present is the only gift you carry
Make space between the past and now
When thoughts clear the future will be sown
The life of yoga will unfold
Appreciate
The life of yoga smells you and you would smell the life of yoga
The life of yoga has no quarrel with you
You walk is your walk of life
Harmony grows for those who seek it
The walk through the life of yoga will ease the mind’s conflicts
Reaching the end of the walk,a new life begins
Melissa says
Hello Thomas!
Thank you for your thought(s)–you may say they’re simple, yet I’ve found that the simplest things are often the most challenging for the egoic mind that likes to make things complicated & unreachable. So yes, simple, though not necessarily easy or automatic! I particularly liked your phrase:
The present is the only gift you carry
Make space between the past and now
Be well,
Melissa
Chez says
My new Mantra. Treasure yourself, don’t Trash yourself. You are a true gem after all. Namaste
Melissa says
Brilliant! I love it & hope you pass it on, as secret code, to anyone who might benefit…Namaste–I see the light that you are!
Terimoana Gilgen says
trish……….what a fantastic Bumper Sticker..
Terimoana Gilgen says
oops I mean CHEZ :treasure yourself don’t trash yourself.!